Edwards proud of Foles' development

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) runs 10-yards for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

PHILADELPHIA – No one has influenced Eagles quarterback Nick Foles more this season than Trent Edwards, the Stanford geek who has molded his rookie counterpart into a lean, mean fighting machine.

When Foles fired that winning touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin as time expired in Tampa, Edwards felt a little like he was in a hospital delivery room.

“I was extremely proud,” Foles said. “It’s one of those things where, I don’t want to say proud father but I’ve been with him for six months now. There’s practice, training camp, OTA’s and all the film you watch. To have it kind of come together in one moment right there where it’s the last play of the game, where he came to the sideline, called the play and then executes the play and then we walk off of that field with the win you just feel happy, proud. There’s a variety of adjectives I could give you … I’m just happy for Nick.”

Edwards will be happier for Foles if the third-round pick out of Arizona can hang in tonight when the Eagles oppose the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field (8:20, NFL Network, WIP 94.1-FM).

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The Bengals (7-6) are better coached than the Buccaneers, who ranked last in the league in passing defense. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer invents a new zone blitz package weekly. Defensive end Geno Atkins (10 1-2 sacks) has games where he’s unblockable. The Bengals lead the league in sacks. They bring a lot of heat right up the middle.

While Foles threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for another score, he was sacked six times in the 23-21 win over the Bucs.

“I’m going to have to do a great job with blitz pickup and we need to execute our offense,” Foles said. “We need to run effectively and throw effectively. The big thing is to run our offense well and execute well.”

Edwards will do everything he can to prepare Foles for the Bengals. The same can be said of the Eagles coaching staff, acutely aware how important it is to get rookie running back Bryce Brown untracked this week. To beat the Bengals’ pass rush down, you’ve got to run. It’s that simple.

“They do a lot of things with fire zones and blitzes that you have to be ready for, and I’m talking from a quarterback’s standpoint and a protection standpoint,” Eagles head coach Andy Reid said. “They do everything that you can do to maximize a defense, and they’re going to show it to you.”

The Eagles and Foles began game-planning for the Bengals when they weren’t trying to figure out the Bucs. Edwards explained how he strategically text messages highlights and key points to Foles along with the obvious, don’t be late for this meeting or that meeting. To say the duo is close is an understatement. Foles offered Edwards a place to live for two months.

“On a regular basis we’re pretty close,” Edwards said. “And that just comes with the territory. I think you kind of have to be that way. He’s helping me out a lot and I hope I’m hoping him out, too.”

Foles credited Edwards and veteran quarterback Michael Vick, among others, with aiding in his development. Foles always is careful to include all of his teammates and avoid even a shred of controversy. Reid said Edwards has helped prepare the rookie to take on the media.

“When Nick is here, Trent is here – they do all of this stuff together,” Reid said. “I just think it has been a real positive for him in terms of understanding the game, not only the game schematically but the game as a whole with the media and all the attention and everything that comes with it.”

Edwards, who doesn’t have a Twitter account, says Foles recognizes how to act off the field without his help. Whatever assistance Edwards provides, it’s easily remembered.

“I think the big thing is to be who you are,” Foles said. “I’m going to tell you how I feel and I think you just stay true to who you are as a person. That’s what I’ve talked to him about.”

Foles has thrown three touchdown passes and no interceptions in his last two starts after getting intercepted three times in his first two starts. It won’t be a coincidence if Foles does well against the Bengals.

Though it’s early, Edwards believes Foles is special.

“I always have,” Edwards said. “I’ve always believed in him and I’ve felt like he’s got – I don’t know if moxie is the word – but just the right mentality.

“There was a play in the Dallas game when he got hit probably as hard as he’s gotten hit in a long time. The very next play it was third-and-10 and he completes a ball inside to a slot receiver. I always judge quarterbacks based off of plays that they make after they get hit really hard. If they can stand in there and execute.